Chart: Wolves weigh their draft options

June 21, 2015 at 12:27AM
Minnesota Timberwolves Ricky Rubio. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com, March 2, 2015, Minneapolis, MN, Target Center, NBA, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Rubio (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Weighing the options

The Wolves own the first, 31st and 36th picks in the NBA draft. President of basketball operations/coach Flip Saunders promises his team won't select and keep two players with both of those second-round picks.

Here are assets the Wolves have to make a deal on draft night:

• Ricky Rubio: Saunders insists he's not trading a player he signed last fall to a four-year, $55 million contract that begins this coming season. But…Rubio is the one player with whom Saunders could swing a significant trade, potentially for another lottery pick in the draft or a proven player. But it'd take just the right team. (Sacramento, or Dallas or Houston perhaps?)

•Those 31st and 36th picks: Saunders could package both to get another first-round pick, but it's unlikely that he could get high enough — above Houston at No. 18 — for the chance to select Apple Valley's Tyus Jones.

• European prospect Nemanja Bjelica: Drafted by David Kahn in 2010's second round, this season's Euroleague MVP has a guard's skills in a power forward's body. At age 27, he's ready to play for the Wolves right now but also could be included to sweeten a trade for the right team — Dallas maybe, with the 21st pick — that likes his offensive skills and is willing to overlook his defensive liabilities.

Veterans Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic: Saunders insists the team needs Martin's shooting and leadership, but playoff teams will call. Pekovic's injury history and contract (three years, nearly $36 million left) make him practically untradeable.

JERRY ZGODA

Serbia's Nemanja Bjelica gestures, after scoring a point against Spain during their World Basketball Championship quarter-finals match at the Sinan Erdem stadium in Istanbul, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Bjelica (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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